the goan I network
PANAJI
The atmosphere at Kala Academy where Parrikar’s mortal remains were kept for four hours on Monday was subdued for most part, even as a gloom of sadness descended on everyone.
To complete the solemnity of the occasion were two groups of Hindu priests who were sitting on the left side of the courtyard. One group consisting of a dozen priests chanted shlokas, while another group of half a dozen priests were signing softly to the beat of the tabla and harmonium.
It could not be immediately ascertained as to how many paid their respects to the departed leader during the four hours at the KA. Even though Parrikar’s remains were brought to the venue post noon, those who loved the leader started queuing up outside the venue before 10.30 am.
Everyone who had gathered waited impatiently to bid a final adieu to their departed leader. The queues got longer as the day went by, with more and more people pouring in towards the end.
Almost every second person who came had their smart phones ready to click pictures. While VIPs or those known to the family were allowed to place floral tributes at his casket, the general public were allowed to see him as they passed by, but were not allowed inside the barricade.
Local and national media including print, television and photographers thronged the venue to ensure they had the best coverage of the leader’s final journey. Three levels of security were deployed at the venue to prevent any untoward incident: the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), the state police, and the Army. The PM’s Special Protection Group (SPG) security began scouring the venue hours before he even landed in Goa. The atmosphere got more emotional towards the end, when the time came for his mortal remains to be taken for cremation.
